Honda is working to achieve carbon neutrality in part through the advancement of new hydrogen fuel cell systems and FCEV powertrains. Critically, Honda’s next-generation FCEV powertrain technology is being co-developed with GM.
Honda recently held a press briefing covering its latest hydrogen business initiatives, with Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer Shinji Aoyama and Operating Executive, Head of the Business Development Supervisory Unit, Arata Ichinose presenting. Among the topics of discussion were the Japanese automaker’s latest FCEV powertrain developments, including plans to launch a new Honda FCEV model in North America and Japan in 2024.
The new Honda FCEV will be equipped with next-generation fuel cell technology co-developed with GM. GM and Honda have been engaged in a joint effort to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology since 2013.
According to Honda, the new FCEV model will leverage “the knowledge, know-how and economies of scale of both [GM and Honda]” to reduce costs by one-third compared to costs for the fuel cell system offered by the 2019 Honda Clarity FCEV. This cost reduction was achieved by various measures, including the use of innovative new electrode materials, the advancement of a cell sealing structure, simplification of the supporting equipment, and productivity improvements.
The new system also features enhanced durability thanks to new corrosion-resistant materials, controlled suppression of deterioration, and an increase to low-temperature resistance.
Honda expects fuel cell technology to reach widespread popularization around the 2030 calendar year, with system advancements eventually enabling fuel cell system costs that are on par with conventional diesel powerplants. To achieve this, Honda will continue to develop fuel cell technology to double durability and halve costs as compared to the increased durability and reduced costs realized by the system co-developed with GM.
Honda identifies four core domains for fuel cell technology, including FCEVs, commercial vehicles, stationary power stations, and construction machinery. With regard to commercial vehicles, Honda has engaged in joint research with Isuzu Motors Limited and collaborated with Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd.
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Comments
So where does GM plan to use it? The most logical place would be part of the Brightdrop family.
The Brightdrop vans are intended for short haul deliveries and no need for them to get a range extender.
However, trucks that require attributes for long haul could use this type of system. Would need refueling abilities though along the long haul routes though. Also potential this could be used with 2500+ trucks to meet towing requirements.
DETROIT – General Motors will supply its Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes to Navistar for use in its production model fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) – the International® RHTM Series. Navistar’s FCEV will get energy from two GM Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes. Each Hydrotec power cube contains 300-plus hydrogen fuel cells along with thermal and power management systems. The power cubes are compact and easy to package and can be used in a wide range of applications, including marine, earth-moving and mining equipment, locomotives and power generators. – news dot gm dot com
I saw the process of refueling a hydrogen vehicle online recently. It’s pretty interesting. The nozzle is cylindrical with a needle nose prong that fits the car’s tank. It snaps into place and locks to prevent leaks and pumps pressurized hydrogen into the vehicle in about the same time as gasoline takes. The cable gets super cold and frigid by the time the process is done, but you can get 500-600 miles of range. It used to be mostly relegated to California 4 years ago. I don’t know if the situation has improved since then.
This is more for fleet use that has their own fueling system.
Hydrogen is pumped as a liquid at below -400 degrees. It is cold and it is not really something you will find for a good while in an easy corner fill.
I have driven the GM hydrogen power cell vehicle and it was great but the problem is refilling.
Delivery trucks, fleets, semi trucks etc may be the first practical use where they fuel at their terminals.
Why not just keep the ICE we have and run on ethanol? We already have everything in place. All of this other stuff is a total waste of resources.
What do you propose using as a source to produce dratted Ethanol ? Another soil-depleting foodstuff like Corn or something else ? Keep the ICE and fuel them with Hydrogen that is now able to be split from the H2O molecule using far less electric power than before and produces WATER as an exhaust….unlike burning ethanol.
I am curious if Apples could supplant corn for feed stock..less water for crop and higher density of fruits per acre, higher percentage of fruit in the harvest(no cob).
Corn farming is not a practical fuel source. And with Ukraine hampered by the war. US will need to step up food crops.
Finally…….so much better and less damaging to the Environment than Lithium-Battery powered EV’s.
Why don’t we have a stationary H2 generator/compressor, designed for home of small business use in refueling H2 vehicles? Seems like Honda, with all it’s H2 and power equipment experience could work that out.
How long before Honda and GM either merge or ally like Renault-Nissan? Not sure why Honda is designing it’s own EV platforms for Japan when an agreement could be made and money saved.
If Ford & PSA can build a good BEV on ICE bones then Ultium must be more than adequate. Honda and GM win working together with Acura.
Something else that there is no infrastructure for.
Hydrogen will come down in price as tech matures.. initial estimates were for 3-5$ fill ups. And in the desert free water in the air../s. Will be a good study for human climate change.. if the desert around LV or Flagstaff starts turning green from 400,000 FCEV.. then badda boom proof../s